The Rubin Award was established in 2004 by the Governing Council of Mu
Alpha Theta to be presented annually. The award was named in honor of Diane
Rubin who worked tirelessly at the National Office of Mu Alpha Theta for twenty
years, before her retirement in December 2003.
The award will be presented to the Mu Alpha Theta chapter which has a history of
outstanding mathematics service to its community or its school for at least two years. This
service must promote interest in mathematics and benefit a group other than its
own chapter. A prize of $500 and a plaque will be presented to the winner. The award will be presented at the National Convention,
but a representative of the chapter need not be present to win. However, to encourage
the chapter to attend, the winner will also receive a Convention Grant of up to $2500.
No school may receive the award more than once in a five year period.
Many chapters provide math enrichment activities to others. Thank you to all that tell us about these projects by applying for the Rubin Award.
While only one school is our official winner, in reality, everyone wins when our chapters provide
such great opportunities for others to enjoy and excel in math!
To be eligible, the chapter should print and submit the application form and
should submit a maximum three page description of the mathematics service
project(s), single-sided, double-spaced. The three pages may include pictures, news
articles, or other printed visual information. Also include two supporting
letters from someone on the receiving end of the project.
The application form and supporting information should be submitted
to the National Office, postmarked no later than March 1st and mailed to:
Mu Alpha Theta
Rubin Award
c/o University of Oklahoma
601 Elm Ave., Rm 1102
Norman, OK 73019-0315
The Governing Council will select the winning chapter, which will be notified no
later than March 30th.
The 2013 Rubin Award recipient is Buchholz High School in Gainesville, FL. The Buchholz Mu Alpha Theta
chapter raised $7000 to buy t-shirts and sweatshirts to distribute at economically disadvantaged schools in their community.
For the past four years, one to three times per week, members have tutored 3rd and 4th graders in math at a local elementary
school. Along with tutoring, the math team also assists elementary schools with math and science activities and will host
a 4th-5th grade math competition beginning this year. Within Mu Alpha Theta, their chapter has hosted Florida Mu Alpha Theta (FAMAT)
competitions and seeks to help middle schools within their community participate in FAMAT competitions as well. The aim of all of these activities is to encourage students to develop an interest in math
at an early age.
The 2012 Rubin Award recipient was Grissom High School in Huntsville, AL. The Grissom Mu Alpha Theta chapter runs afterschool math camps for 1st - 5th
grade (Junior Math Explorers)students and 5th - 8th grade (Junior Math Academy)students. The camps connect children to high school mentors who present math topics. They served
students in over 50 local schools during these camps last year. The chapter also runs two math tournaments in Huntsville and receives a
grant from Mu Alpha Theta to run the Rocket City Math League online competition.
The 2011 Rubin Award recipient was Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn, WA. Their Mu Alpha Theta
chapter hosts four different math competitions thoughout the school year for students from middle schools and high schools
around the state. Chapter members write, proctor, and
grade all exams during the competitions. Some of their competitions have been run for 14 years. The Mu Alpha Theta members also mentor students at a nearby elementary school, teaching
math tricks, and problem solving skills.
The 2010 Rubin Award recipient was East Anchorage High School in Anchorage, AK. Their chapter won for running a Saturday Math Camp, from 9 - 11 am. Mu Alpha
Theta members worked as math tutors, helping students who had not passed the mandatory math basic skills test. In Alaska, a student must
pass the test to receive a diploma from high school. The math remediation program was so successful, Mu Alpha Theta members also offered homework help.
Membership in the Mu Alpha Theta club surged with many members working on Saturday mornings.
The 2009 Rubin Award recipient was Columbus High School in Columbus, GA
The Mu Alpha Theta members have been running two math tournaments, one for K-5th grades
and one for 6 - 8th grades, for over nine years.
The 2008 Rubin Award recipient was Lakota West High School in West
Chester, OH. Since 1997, their chapter has hosted and administered a Mighty
Mu math competition in the greater Cincinnati area that has expanded to include
4th through 8th grade students. The chapter also hosts and administers both the
Rose Hulman and OH Teachers of Mathematics Contest for area high schoolers.
The 2007 Rubin Award recipient was Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
in Aurora, IL. This chapter organizes, hosts and administers the annual
Junior High Math Contest (JHMC). The JHMC serves over twenty middle schools and
junior high schools and had run the competition continuaously for 17 years when they
won the Rubin Award.
The 2006 Rubin Award recipient was Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, FL.
This chapter organizes a Might Mu competition for area students in the 4th through
8th grades. They also created a successful tutoring program for 6th through 8th
grade students at local Oslo Middle School.
The 2005 Rubin Award recipient was Miami Springs Senior High School in Miami Springs, FL.
Their chapter organized several community services projects. These projects included
decorating a local nursing home for the holidays, making Thanksgiving baskets
for needy families and sending letters of encouragement to alumni serving in the military
Some of these former veterans were invited to speak to club members. (Beginning in 2006, the criteria
for the Rubin Award was revised to community service that is math related.)